This is about as close as you want to get to Jake Ryan while he's in uniform. Safe and sound. If he could, he'd tackle you through the screen, so watch for him.

Jake Ryan ranked fourth nationally in 2012 with four forced fumbles. Jarvis Jones led the country with seven.

But consider a couple factors: Out of the top 20 in that category, only four were sophomores. That's impressive. Veterans are typically known for ball-hawking skills, not sophomores who are in the process of learning their position. Just over half the players in the top 20 were linebackers (12 linebackers, eight defensivebacks/linemen).

Do you feel that Jake Ryan was underrated in 2012?

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Do you feel that Jake Ryan was underrated in 2012?

Yes

85.4%

No

12.1%

Undecided

2.5%

Total votes: 198

Just a little food for thought.

A great linebacker doesn't just tackle. No, he causes mayhem, turnovers and makes running backs beg for the next guy's number to be called.

While that may not strike the masses as overly impressive, let this sink in before casting judgment: Out of Ryan's 16 tackles for loss, 13 were solo -- that was one of the best ratios in the NCAA. Others had more volume, but it takes a measurement of assisted-to-solo to truly appreciate Ryan's hustle.

Jake Ryan doesn't give up on plays. Watch him do damage against Virginia Tech in the 2012 Sugar Bowl.

Stats, of course, are accurate and logical ways to quantify a player's effectiveness. As the show says, "numbers don't lie." That's true, but what about the intangibles, the "it" factors that Ryan possesses?

Those are second to none.

His high motor and love for the game -- all of those cliches -- afford him success on the field. When Ryan revs his engine, the Wolverines defense follows.

Ace Sanders and the South Carolina Gamecocks may have won the 2013 Outback Bowl, but believe this: They were on the lookout for the wild-haired Wolverines linebacker.